A good pick for rattled investors

Article Excerpt

BCE has outperformed the market during the current downturn: the stock has gained 7.9% since the start of 2016, compared to a 6.3% decline in the S&P/TSX Composite Index. The company continues to benefit from upgrades to its wireless and fibre-optic Internet and TV networks. These improvements have helped it attract new customers, and hang on to existing ones. More-reliable networks will also help BCE handle new competitors. That includes cable company Shaw Communications, which is buying wireless carrier Wind Mobile. The stock is trading just below its recent peak of $59 in October 2015. Even so, it’s still attractive in relation to BCE’s projected earnings. The company’s strong prospects give it plenty of room to keep raising its dividend. BCE INC. $58 (Toronto symbol BCE; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 865.6 million; Market cap: $49.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.3; Dividend yield: 4.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.bce.ca) is Canada’s largest telephone provider, with 6.7 million…